Versatile and convertible legwear

ABSTRACT

Legwear having a panel  40  that includes a top edge  44,  a bottom edge  46  and side edges  48  and  50  that are located between the top edge and the bottom edge. The side edges  48  and  50  have a curvature such that the side edges are furthest apart adjacent the top edge and the bottom edge and are spaced closest together between the midpoints of the side edges, said curvature aiding in securely maintaining the legwear on the user. The legwear also includes a closure in a first part of the closure  52  is located on the panel adjacent one side edge and the second part of the closure is located on the panel adjacent the other side edge. When the first part of the closure is connected to the second part of the closure, the top edge of the panel  44  defines a first opening and the bottom edge of the panel defines a second opening to accommodate the user&#39;s limb. The closure of one legwear is mutually compatible with the closure of other legwear so that a plurality of legwear can be combined together to form more complex articles such as cushions, blankets, handwarmers and handbags.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The presently disclosed invention relates to wearing apparel and, morespecifically, legwear that can be worn below the knee and above the footand that can be combined to form other articles of apparel.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

As used herein, legwear refers to those garments that surround the lowerleg between the foot and the knee. In some cases, legwear has been usedto extend the purposes of footwear, such as legwear that engages a bootand extends protection of the footwear above the ankle. Examples areseen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 888,745; 1,725,597; 1,844,997; 2,155,599;2,398,802; 6,477,788; 7,428,787; and 8,065,821 and U.S. PatentPublications 2003/0097765; 2010/0186259; 2011/0167538; and 2012/0324765.In other cases, legwear has been used for purposes of fashion to enhanceor change an appearance of certain footwear such as high heeled shoesand boots. Examples are shown in U.S. Design Pat. Nos. D396,740;D505,777; D599,981; D599,982; D643,598; and D668,025 and U.S. PatentPublication 2011/0078919.

A difficulty with such prior art legwear was that it tended to ride upthe wearer's leg in the direction away from the shoe. To overcome thisproblem, the legwear was designed to engage the particular style offootwear with which it was intended to be used or, sometimes, to secureto the user's foot.

In many cases, prior art legwear was intended to coordinate with aparticular style or design of footwear. However, there are many typesand styles of footwear including shoes, sandals, boot-shoes, flip flops,high heels, ballet flats, stiletto heels, wedges, dance shoes, athleticshoes, team shoes, slippers, and many more. Consequently, legwear thatwas designed to be connected to coordinating footwear generally wouldnot engage footwear of a different style. Accordingly, such legweartended to be limited to use with the particular footwear with which itwas coordinated.

In other cases, the legwear was limited to footwear of a design that wascapable of accommodating the legwear's foot attachment. Therefore, therewas a need in the prior art for legwear with versatility such that itcould be used with any type of footwear, irrespective of the style,design or structure of the footwear.

Prior art legwear that was worn primarily for fashion also was somewhatlimited. For example, legwear that had one design or color could not beeasily changed. Legwear that could display more than one design or colorwould be a preferable fashion option. Still other flexibility such asallowing the legwear to be closed at alternative positions about the legwould afford further fashion options as well as additional functionalflexibility.

One venue for legwear has been outdoor public events such as footballgames and other sporting events where weather conditions are aconsideration. Many spectators prefer to bring extra clothing andblankets to accommodate inclement weather conditions or even changes inweather conditions during the course of the event. However, carryingmultiple articles such as the event ticket, a purse, a cell phone andsnacks along with blankets, seat cushions, umbrellas, rain suits and thelike can be awkward and inconvenient. Moreover, continually tighteningsecurity measures at such events have progressively limited the numberand type of articles that spectators are permitted to carry into thestadium or arena where the event is held. In particular, various typesof bags and vessels are strictly controlled and are often subject topre-entry search. Such search procedures sometimes significantly delaythe spectator's entry to the stadium or arena and can even result in thechoice between forfeiture of the article or denial of entry.

Various garment types and designs were known in the prior art. However,they were generally unsuited as apparel and were of limitedadaptability. In some cases, the article was primarily a cushion and didnot function as apparel at all. Examples are shown in U.S. Pat. No.7,591,033 (describing a cushion that can be stored in a roll) and U.S.Patent Application 2006/0042014 (directed to seat cushion that can alsobe used in connection with spectator cheers at sporting events).Examples of designs that can be adapted to form a seat cushion, but arenot intended for general wear are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,597,764 (abag that can be worn while seated and that includes a pillow in the seatarea); U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,897 (a travel bib); U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,706(a foldable pad that can be used as a cushion or a muffler); and U.S.Pat. No. 7,465,207 (flotation device that can be used as a cushion).Other examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,109,951; 4,060,852; 5,884,331;6,243,873; 6,275,993; 6,708,343; and 7,651,016 that illustrate designsin the nature of a hooded rain protector that can be folded to form aseat cushion or used as a seating vapor barrier. Still other designssuch as the scarf shown in U.S. Patent Application 2004/0088778 thatcould be worn as a garment did not serve as a cushion at all and weregenerally unsuited for protection from adverse weather conditions.

Accordingly, an article of apparel that could be worn while passingthrough security and thereafter converted into an alternative garment orcarrying device would be very useful in avoiding difficulty and delay atthe security checkpoint and thereafter providing additional clothing orprotective cover.

For these and other reasons, there was a need in the prior art forlegwear that could be secured to the user's leg independently of anychoice of footwear and also legwear that was aesthetically moreversatile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the presently disclosed invention, legwear andmethods for making the same are directed to the problem of securing thelegwear on the user irrespective of the particular footwear that theuser may be wearing. The presently disclosed invention is compatiblewith any footwear and includes a panel that is shaped to secure thelegwear to the user without connection to any footwear or to the user'sfoot. The panel can be designed for various purposes including as aprotective covering, as an insulative covering, and for fashionpurposes, either alone or in combination.

The disclosed panel is formed in a pattern having a top edge and havinga bottom edge that are located between oppositely disposed side edges.Each side edge of the material pattern defines a concave shape with thespacing between the side edges being greatest at or adjacent to at leastone of the top edge and the bottom edge and the spacing between the sideedges being the smallest at a position between the midpoint between thetop edge and the bottom edge on one side edge and the midpoint betweenthe top edge and the bottom edge on the other side edge. The legwearalso includes a closure device having first and second parts with thefirst part connected to the panel adjacent one side edge and the secondpart connected to the panel adjacent the opposite side edge, such thatat times when the first and second parts of the closure device areconnected to each other, the top edge of the panel defines a top openingfor the legwear and the bottom edge of the panel defines a bottomopening for the legwear.

Preferably, the two sheets of material have different colors and/orpatterns such that one face of the panel presents a first color orpattern and the other face of the panel presents an alternative color orpattern. In this way, the legwear can be worn with either side of thepanels exposed as the outside of the legwear making the legwearreversible with alternate patterns and/or colors being exposed.

Also in accordance with the presently disclosed invention, a set oflegwear includes first and second legwear items, each having at leastone sheet of flexible sheet material such as fabric that defines top andbottom edges and oppositely disposed side edges. On each legwear item,each side edge is provided with a respective closure member and theclosure members on opposite sides are complementary to each other. Inthis way, at times when the closure members of the opposite sides areengaged, the flexible sheet material forms a generally cylindrical shapethat can surround the user's limb.

Alternatively, two separate legwear items can be joined together byconnecting the closure member of one legwear item to the complementaryclosure member of another legwear item. In this way, the two legwearitems combine to form a blanket. Also, the open ends of the two separatelegwear items can be joined together by connecting the closure membersat the respective ends to form a different article such as a double seatcushion or a handwarmer. In some cases, the legwear items can include aloop and a belt that is connectable through the loop such that the beltcan be used as a shoulder strap or handle for the combined legwareitems. In some examples, the combined legwear items can include afastener to close the side of the legwear items that is opposite fromthe side to which the loop is secured so that the combined legwear canfunction as a bag.

In this way, the presently disclosed invention provides flexible legwearthat can be worn as apparel at times when passing through a securitycheckpoint or when the user is carrying additional items. Thereafter,the legwear can be converted to another article such as a cushion,handwarmer, handbag or blanket that may be better suited to theimmediate needs or preferences of the user.

Other objects and advantages of the presently disclosed invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art as a description of apresently preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A presently disclosed embodiment of the invention is hereinafterdescribed in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sheet of material having an outer face and an innerface;

FIG. 2 illustrates two sheets of material that are oriented with theirrespective outer surfaces facing each other.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the movement of a closed end of the sheets ofmaterial between the open ends of the sheets of material.

FIG. 4 shows two sheets of material that are secured together whereinthe closure device is a set of grommets and lacing.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the signature tab that is connected to thepanel shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows the panel of FIG. 4 wherein the closure device is a zipper.

FIG. 7 shows the panel of FIG. 4 wherein the side edges are rolled inopposite rotations.

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows the panel of FIG. 4 wherein the side edges furtherinclude decorative trim.

FIG. 9 shows the panel of FIG. 6 when secured to a user's leg by agrommet and lacing closure.

FIG. 10 shows the panel of FIG. 4 when secured to a user's leg by azipper closure.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate the panel of FIG. 4 when secured to auser's leg with the connector being in a front position, a back positionand a side position respectively.

FIG. 12 illustrates respective panel in the condition that they aresecured to a user's legs and that further include exterior straps withfasteners.

FIG. 13 shows the panels of FIG. 12 with the fasteners shown in FIG. 12uncoupled and complementary fasteners securing one side edge of onepanel to the side edge of another panel.

FIG. 14 shows the two panels of FIG. 13 with the open side edges thatare shown in FIG. 13 being partially connected by respectivecomplementary fasteners.

FIG. 15 shows the two panels of FIG. 14 with the side edges that werepartially connected in FIG. 14 being fully connected.

FIG. 16 shows the two panels of FIG. 15 with the panels collapsedtogether for use as a seat cushion.

FIG. 17 shows four panels of the type shown in FIGS. 12-16 that areconnected together in side-edge to side-edge relationship to form ablanket.

FIG. 18 shows two panels that are connected together as also shown inFIG. 15 with a belt passed through loops in the side of the top edge ofthe panels to form a shoulder strap for the connected panels.

DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSEDINVENTION

A presently preferred method for making an embodiment of the disclosedinvention is shown in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 1 shows a rectangular sheet ofmaterial 10 that can be used in the manufacture of the disclosedlegwear. The sheet of material 10 has a top edge 12 and a bottom edge 14that are located between oppositely disposed side edges 16 and 18. Theedges of sheet 10 define an outer face 20 on one side and an inner face22 on the opposite side.

Preferably, sheet 10 is material that is selected from any of thematerials that are composed of woven natural threads, woven syntheticthreads, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, animal hides. Examples ofsuch material include leather, suede, faux leather, ultrasuede, cotton,rain-resistant fabrics, and stretchable athletic fabrics. Preferably,for fashion purposes the outer face 20 has a selected color and/orpattern that is aesthetically desireable.

Sheet 10 also shows pattern lines 24 that designate cutting lines forsheet 10. In the manufacture of the disclosed legwear, sheet 10 is cutalong lines 24 to form the material in an “hourglass” shape 26 as shownin FIG. 2. In shape 26 the side edges 16 and 18 of the material 10 havebeen replaced by new side edges 28 and 30. Side edges 28 and 30 definerespective concave curvatures between the top edge 12 and the bottomedge 14. The spacing between side edges 28 and 30 is greatest atrespective points of side edges 28 and 30 that are located at oradjacent to the top edge 12 or that are located at or adjacent to thebottom edge 14. In some cases, the spacing between the side edges 28 and30 can be the same at the top edge 12 and the bottom edge 14.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the location of the shortestspacing between the side edges 28 and 30 in combination with thecurvature of side edges 28 and 30 is significant in securing thedisclosed legwear to the user so as to avoid the legwear riding up ordown on the user. Preferably, the spacing between the side edges 28 and30 is smallest between respective locations on edges 28 and 30 that arethe midpoints between top edge 12 and bottom edge 14. In the example ofFIG. 2, the spacing between side edges 28 and 30 is smallest betweenlocation point 32, which is the midpoint on edge 28 between top edge 12and bottom edge 14, and location point 34, which is the midpoint on edge30 between top edge 12 and bottom edge 14. The curvature of side edge 28is the inverse of the curvature of side edge 30 such that a line 36tangent to the curvature of side edge 28 at point 32 is parallel to aline 38 that is tangent to the curvature of side edge 30 at point 34.

Importantly, it has been found that a shape wherein the spacing betweenedges 28 and 30 is least between midpoints 32 and 34 and greatest atpoints at or adjacent to the top edge 12 and/or the bottom edge 14wherein the tangent 36 to the curvature of one side edge at the midpointis parallel to the tangent 38 to the curvature of the other side edge atthe midpoint of that side edge tends to support the legwear on the usersuch that it tends to resist movement longitudinally along the leg ofthe user. Thus, the shape of the legwear resists the legwear slippingdown and from riding up the leg of the user.

In combination with the spacing between side edges 28 and 30, it hasalso been found that the curvature of the edges 28 and 30 aids inmaintaining the legware securely on the user. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 4 the curvature of edges 28 and 30 can be described as acontinuous curvature having a radius R1 of curvature of approximately 16inches in the direction from the midpoint of either side edge that isorthogonal to the tangent to the midpoint. The radius of curvature forboth side edges 28 and 30 steadily increases with increasing angles fromthe orthogonal to the tangent to the midpoint of the side edge to aradius of curvature R2 of about 17 inches at angles of plus or minus 30degrees from the orthogonal to the tangent to the midpoint. In otherembodiments, the radius of curvature R1 in the direction from themidpoint of either side edge that is orthogonal to the tangent to themidpoint can be in the range of 15 inches to 17 inches with the radiusof curvature R2 at angles of plus or minus 30 degrees from theorthogonal to the tangent to the midpoint in the range of 16 inches to18 inches.

In accordance with the presently disclosed invention, as particularlyshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the legwear can be made to have selected colorsand/or patterns on both faces of a panel that is reversible. In thisway, the legwear can be worn with either side of the panel facingoutwardly such that either side can be exposed as the outside of thelegwear. In this way, the legwear affords alternative colors andpatterns for fashion purposes. As particularly shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and4, a panel 40 is made by forming a second shape of material 42 insubstantially the same manner as previously described herein withrespect to shape 26 except that the outer surface of shape 42 has analternative color and/or pattern 43 that is different than the color orpattern of the outer surface of the first shape. As illustrated in FIG.2, the first shape 26 and the second shape 42 are aligned with the outerface 43 a of the first shape opposing the outer face 43 b of the secondshape. The shapes 26 and 42 are sized such that edges of the secondshape 42 coincide with the respective edges of the first shape 26.Shapes 26 and 42 are then secured together along three sides of theirperimeter. Specifically, shapes 26 and 42 are sewn together along theconcave side edges 28 and 30 and along either the top 12 or the bottomedge 14.

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the top edge 12 or the bottomedge 14 where the shapes 26 and 42 have been sewn together is passedbetween the opposite end of the shapes that have not been sewn together.This causes the outer face of both shapes 26 and 42 to face outwardly sothat the panel has alternative colors or patterns on opposite facesthereof in accordance with the colors and/or patterns on the outer faceof the shapes 26 and 42. FIG. 4 shows a finished panel in which the topedge or bottom edge that was not sewn closed as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3Bis sewn together to complete the panel 40 having a top edge 44, a bottomedge 46, and oppositely disposed side edges 48 and 50.

In alternative embodiments where at least one of the shapes 26 or 42 ismade of a relatively stiff or bulky material such as leather, the methodillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B of turning the partially sewn shapesinside out can be replaced by hemming the lining fabric or reversematerial on all four edges and then attaching the two shapes together bysewing or adhesives to construct the panel.

To make the disclosed legwear, the panel 40 is further provided with aclosure by which opposite side edges 48 and 50 can be joined togetherwith the panel 40 traveling around the leg of the user. The closure canbe any suitable closure such as known in the art including grommets andlaces, zippers, hook and loop material, buckels, rings, ties bar slides,buttons and loops, and elastic panels as well as others.

In some embodiments, such closure devices can be selected so as toaugment the disclosed legwear's capability for maintaining position onthe user's limb without sliding up or down. Such closure devices canenable the user to cinch the disclosed legwear so as to make minoradjustments to improve comfort and fit. Such adjustments further securethe disclosed legwear so as to enable the disclosed legware toaccommodate the anatomical range of a large number of users with legwearin a relatively small number of nominal sizes.

In the presently disclosed embodiment of FIG. 4, a grommet and lace typeof closure 52 is shown. More particularly, a series of grommets 54 isadded to the panel 40 adjacent to side edge 48 and a second series ofgrommets 56 is added to panel 40 adjacent to side edge 50. When thepanel is placed around the leg of the user between the knee and thefoot, the grommets 54 form a first part of the closure and the grommets56 that are adjacent to side edge 50 form a second part of the closure.When the grommets 54 and 56 are connected by a lace (as shown in FIG. 9)the panel 40 defines an opening along the top edge 44 of said panel 40and another opening along the bottom edge 46 of said panel so as toaccommodate the leg of the wearer. The shape of panel 40 follows thesame “hourglass” shape of the shapes 26 and 42 such that the panelsecures to the wearer in a manner that maintains the panel 40 withoutslipping down or riding up.

As also shown in FIG. 4, the legwear includes a tab 58 that is securedto the top edge 44 of the legwear. Tab 58 is convenient for adjustingthe position of the legwear by the user and for hanging the legwear whenit is not in use. FIG. 5 illustrates that tab 58 can be sewn into theseam between the top edge of the shapes 26 and 42 at the time that theyare sewn together to form panel 40. The exact construction of tab 58 canvary in the strength and shape of the material forming tab 58 as well asthe manner in which tab 58 can be secured to panel 40. For example, asan alternative to sewing tab 58 into the seam of top edge 44, tab 58 canbe secured to panel 40 by an adhesive.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the disclosed legwear in whichthe closure is a zipper 60. Zipper 60 has a first part 62 that issecured to the panel 40 along side edge 48 and a second part 64 that issecured to panel 40 along side edge 50. As will be understood to thoseskilled in the art, zipper 60 and all those zippers described inconnection with the various embodiments disclosed herein include a pulltab for opening and closing the two sides of the zipper. The pull tabmay be of the type that operates from the front or back face of thezipper to accommodate the reversible features of the disclosedinvention. In this way, when the first and second parts of zipper 60 arejoined together, the top edge 44 of the legwear defines an opening andthe bottom edge 46 of the legwear also defines an opening to accommodatethe limb of the user. Preferably, the first and second parts of zipper60 are secured to the panel at the time that the side edges 28 and 30 ofshapes 26 and 42 are sewn together.

FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B also show alternative embodiments of the presentlydisclosed invention. In FIG. 7, the side edges 48 and 50 of the panel 40are rolled up. As shown in FIG. 7, side edge 48 is rolled in acounterclockwise direction and side edge 50 is rolled in a clockwisedirection. This provides a contrasting welt at the seam when the closuredraws the side edges together. Preferably, for aesthetic reasons thisrolled feature is used in combination with closures other than a zipper.FIGS. 8A and 8B show a panel 40 with decorative trim 66 incorporatedtherein. Trim 66 includes a lip 68 that is sewn into the seams betweenthe shapes 26 and 42 at the time that those shapes are sewn together toform panel 40.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the disclosed legwear as displayed during use.FIG. 9 has the grommet and lacing closure as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 10shows the zipper closure as shown in FIG. 6. For the reversible panel40, the legwear can be worn with either side of panel 40 being exposedas the outside.

FIGS. 9 and 10 also show that the top of the legwear can be turned downto form a cuff 70 at the top of the legwear. In this way, the disclosedlegwear can accommodate legs of various dimensions between the knee andankle. For the reversible panel 40, the outside of the cuff 70 willdisplay the color pattern of the inner pattern of the panel and the restof the legwear will display the outer pattern of the panel. This offersthe additional flexibility of contrasting colors and/or patterns for thelegwear.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate the use of the disclosed legwear withthe closure in the front, back and side positions respectively.Preferably, the bottom edge 14 of shapes 26 and 42 and of panel 40 havean outward curvature of a generally constant radius as particularlyshown in FIGS. 4 and 6. This shape allows the legwear to be oriented atany angular position about the user's leg. As illustrated in FIGS. 11A,11B and 11C, in this way the legwear offers still further flexibility inthat the closure can be located at any angular position at thediscretion of the user and according to their particular tastes andpreferences.

As previously described herein, the disclosed legwear is not connectedto any footwear. Independence from the footwear allows the legwear to befully reversible and to be worn in any angular position according to theuser's own preferences. The disclosed legwear can be worn directly nextto the skin such as with shorts, dresses or skirts. Alternatively, thedisclosed legwear can be worn over tights, stockings, leggings, jeans,pants, sweatpants and outerwear. Additionally, the disclosed legwear canbe worn over high-top boots. The disclosed legwear has been found torequire relatively little room in luggage so that it is convenient fortravel where the user can especially appreciate the versatility of thedisclosed legwear.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the presently disclosedinvention wherein a set of legwear 80 includes a first legwear 82 and asecond legwear 84. Legwear 82 may be similar to legwear previouslydescribed herein in connection with FIGS. 1 through 11C and may includea flexible panel or flexible sheet material 86 that defines a top edge88 and a bottom edge 90 that is oppositely disposed on the sheetmaterial 86 from the top edge 88. The flexible sheet material 86 alsodefines a first side edge 92 and a second side edge 94 that isoppositely disposed on the sheet material 86 from the first side edge92. In some embodiments, the flexible sheet material may be of arip-stop design or other design that is adapted for particular uses suchas hunting. In such cases, the sheet material may be made of waxedcanvas, canvas, leather or other rugged material. In many embodiments,the flexible sheet material is selected for its thermal and waterresistant properties.

Legwear 82 includes a first closure member 96 that is secured to sideedge 92 and a second closure member 98 that is secured to second sideedge 94. The first closure member 96 and the second closure member 98are complementary to each other such that the first and second closuremembers cooperate with each other to connect together and therebyconnect the first side 92 of legwear 82 to the second side edge 94 oflegwear 82. In the example of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 12,closure members 96 and 98 are respective sides of a zipper. Othercomplementary closure members also could be used as previously describedherein in connection with FIGS. 1 through 11C. In this way, at timeswhen legwear 82 is worn as legwear to cover below the knee and above thefoot of the user, sides of the legwear are secured together around thelimb of the user.

Second legwear 84 is similar to first legwear 82. As shown in FIG. 12,second legwear 84 may include a flexible panel or flexible sheetmaterial 100 that defines a top edge 102 and a bottom edge 104 that isoppositely disposed on the sheet material 100 from the top edge 102. Theflexible sheet material 100 also defines a first side edge 106 and asecond side edge 108 that is oppositely disposed on the sheet material100 from the first side edge 106.

Legwear 84 includes a first closure member 110 that is secured to sideedge 106 and a second closure member 112 that is secured to second sideedge 108. The first closure member 110 and the second closure member 112are complementary to each other such that the first and second closuremembers cooperate with each other to connect together and therebyconnect the first side 106 of legwear 84 to the second side edge 108 oflegwear 84. In the example of the preferred embodiment of FIG. 12,closure members 110 and 112 are respective sides of a zipper so thatwhen legwear 84 is worn as legwear to cover below the knee and above thefoot of the user, sides of the legwear are secured together around thelimb of the user. As described previously herein, the zipper that isdisclosed in FIG. 12 and in FIGS. 13-18 as hereinafter described is ofthe type that includes a reversible pull tab for opening or closing thezipper. The pull tab is reversible in the sense that it operates eitherfrom the front face or the back face of the zipper. In this way, thezipper accommodates the reversible features of the disclosed invention.Other types and styles of closures such as hook-and-loop, buttons, snapsand ties also could be used.

In some embodiments, flexible sheet material of legwear 82, legwear 84or both may include pockets for carrying personal items. Such pocketsmay be either on the outside surface of the flexible sheet or on theinside surface and may include a flap or closure mechanism such aspressure snaps. Pockets on the inside surface could also be used tocarry hand warmers or foot warmers of the type that generate heat suchas by an exothermic chemical reaction.

Second closure member 112 is also complementary to the first closuremember 96 of first legwear 84 such that second legwear 84 cooperateswith first legwear 82 to selectively form a more complex article such asa seat cushion, a blanket or a handwarmer as hereafter further explainedin connection with FIGS. 13 through 18.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first closure member 96 of first legwear 82 iscomplementary to the second closure member 112 of legwear 84. Theclosure members 96 and 98 of the first legwear 82 are opposite sides ofa fully separating zipper so that closure members 96 and 98 arecompletely separable from each other. The closure members 110 and 112 ofthe second legwear 84 are also opposite sides of a fully separatingzipper so that closure members 110 and 112 are completely separable fromeach other. However, because the first closure member 96 of firstlegwear 82 and the second closure member 112 of second legwear 84 arecomplementary, first closure member 96 engages the second closure member112 to secure the side edge 92 of legwear 82 to the side edge 108 oflegwear 84. FIG. 13 shows that this combination can be used as a lapblanket 114.

FIGS. 14 through 18 show alternative combinations of legwear inaccordance with the presently disclosed invention. In FIG. 14, thesecond closure member 98 of first legwear 82 is complementary to thefirst closure member 110 of the second legwear 84. In this way secondclosure member 98 engages first closure member 110 to secure the sideedge 94 of legware 82 to side edge 106 of legwear 84. To better disclosethe details and features of the presently disclosed invention, FIG. 14shows second closure member 98 and first closure member 110 in partialengagement and FIG. 15 shows second closure member 98 and first closuremember 110 fully engaged.

With the second closure member 98 and first closure member 110 fullyengaged as shown in FIG. 15, legwear 82 and legwear 84 can be collapsedtogether to form a complex article that is a seat cushion 116 as morespecifically shown in FIG. 16. Seat cushion 116 has the same thermal andwater repellant properties as the legwear that are previously explainedherein.

In the same way that two legwear articles 82 and 84 can be securedtogether as shown and explained in connection with FIG. 13, additionallegware articles can also be combined in a longer array to form a largerblanket. An example of such a larger blanket is shown in FIG. 17 whereinadditional legwear articles 120 and 122 have been joined to legwear 82and 84 by combining the closure members of the respective legwear 120and 122 in the same manner as explained in connection with the blanketshown and described in connection with FIG. 13. In other examples,additional legwear articles with appropriate padding in the flexiblesheet may be used to form an exercise mat. In still another embodiment,additional legwear articles could be connected linearly and then foldedtogether to provide a seat cushion with extra padding.

In some embodiments, the side edges of the legwear 82, 84, 120 and 122shown and described in connection with FIGS. 13 through 17 may definerespective concave shapes between the respective top edge and bottomedge of each legwear article such as previously explained in connectionwith FIGS. 1 through 11C. In such embodiments, the curvature of theconcave shape is gauged according to the elasticity of the sheetmaterial of legwear 82, 84, 120 and 122 so that the opposing side edgesof adjacently placed legware are in compression at locations adjacentthe top and bottom edges of the legwear and in tension at the midpointof the concave shape. For example, at times when the side edge 106 oflegwear 84 is connected to the side edge 94 of legwear 82, side edges 94and 106 are in compression at locations adjacent the top and bottomedges of legwear 82 and 84 and in tension at the midpoint of the concaveshape of side edges 94 and 106. The counter-effects of the tension andcompression between the side edges of adjacent legwear tends to causethe connected edges between adjacent legwear to appear to be straighterthan the curvature of the side edges of the legwear in an unconnectedstate.

As best shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the elasticity of the sheet materialof legwear 82, 84, 120 and 122 is selected that the tension between themiddle of opposing side edges substantially balances the compressionadjacent the ends of the opposing side edges. In this way the legwearcan be combined together in linear or circular fashion as shown andexplained in connection with FIGS. 13 through 17 without unduedistortion from a planar shape of the connected legwear. An example isshown in the blanket that is depicted in FIG. 17. In some cases, it willbe preferable that the flexible sheet material of legwear 82, 84, 120and 122 incorporates an insulation layer to enhance the thermal barrierthat is established by the legwear. In such cases, the thickness of theflexible sheet material will favor the balance of compression andtension between the side edges of adjoining legwear because the legwearwill generally have a greater thickness that affords a larger bearingsurface to establish and maintain the compression/tension balance.

FIGS. 12 through 18 further show that each of the legwear furtherincludes a respective loop 124, 126, 128 and 130 that is secured to thetop edge of the legwear. Alternatively, loops 124, 126, 128 and 130could be connected to the respective bottom edges of the legwear andapplied according to the user's individual needs as points of attachmentfor various articles.

In addition, as particularly shown in FIG. 12, each legwear articlefurther includes one of belts 132 and 134 and a respective fastener suchas buckles 136 and 138 that is connectable to the belt. As particularlyshown in FIG. 12, the ends of belts 132 and 134 are respectivelyconnected to opposite sides of buckles 136 and 138. Buckles 136 and 138include complementary parts 136 a, 136 b and 138 a, 138 b that areconnectable to opposite ends of respective belts 132 and 134. One partof each buckle 136 a, 138 a may be provided with a barbed extension thatis lockingly insertable into the complementary part 136 b, 138 b of thesame buckle so that buckles 136 and 138 can be locked together byinserting one part into the other. Also, buckles 136 and 138 may beopened by releasing the barb on the extension from engagement with theopposing part of the buckle. Each part of buckle 136 and 138 can receivethe opposite end of belt 132 or 134 and is adjustable from the end ofthe belt to tighten the legwear to the user at times when the legwear isworn between below the knee and above the foot of the user.

FIG. 18 shows that the same belts 132 and 134 and fasteners or buckles136 and 138 can be used in cooperation with loops 124 and 126 to providea handle or carrying strap for connected legwear 82 and 84. Asdemonstrated in FIG. 18, the loops 124 and 126 are sized large enoughthat belts 132 and 134 can be threaded through a respective loop when atleast one end of the belt is a free end that is apart from buckles 136and 138. After the belt is threaded through the loop, the free end ofbelts 132 and 134 is then secured to buckles 136 and 138 to form acarrying strap 140 and 142.

Alternatively, buckles 136 and 138 may be interchangeable so that onepart 136 a of buckle 136 is complementary to one part 138 b of buckle138 and the one part 138 a of buckle 138 may be engagable with thecomplementary part 136 b of buckle 136. For example, as shown in FIG.18, the part 136 a of buckle 136 that has a barbed extension isengagable with the complementary part 138 b of buckle 138 and the part138 a of buckle 138 that has a barbed extension is engagable with thecomplementary part 136 b of buckle 136. The loops 124 and 126 are madelarge enough so that one part of buckle 136 or 138 can pass through theloop. Thereafter, one part 136 a of buckle 136 may be connected to thecomplementary part 138 b of buckle 138 and the complementary part 136 bof buckle 136 may be connected to the one part 138 a of buckle 138. Inthis way, the buckles can be quickly and easily connected together toform the carrying strap without necessity for disconnecting the belts132 or 134 from the buckles 136 and 138.

In some cases, it may be preferable to further modify the cushion suchas shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 into a carrying bag. One manner ofmodifying the cushions is to secure the bottom edges of the two legweararticles together such as by the use of a patch or straps that connectto the legwear by means of hook-and-loop connectors, snap connectors, orother suitable connectors. An example is shown in FIG. 18 where ahook-and-loop patch 144 is connected to the respective flexible sheets86 and 100 of legwear 82 and 84 and across the separation between thebottom edges 90 and 104 of legwear 82 and 84. In this way, the cushionsevers the further purpose of a carrying bag with straps or handles.This feature of the presently disclosed invention is particularlyhelpful in those circumstances where bags are not allowed past securitycheckpoints such as at public athletic events. In this way, the usercomplies with the security restrictions for entering the stadium orarena and, once inside, can still have a carrying bag for convenientlymaintaining and transporting personal items.

The presently disclosed invention is not limited by the description ofthe presently preferred embodiment and is further embodied within thescope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. Legwear that covers below the knee and above the foot, saidlegwear comprising: a panel that includes: a first sheet of materialthat has a first design; and a second sheet of material that has asecond design, said first and second sheets defining a top edge, and abottom edge that are located between oppositely disposed side edges,each of said side edges defining a concave shape in said sheet with thespacing between the side edges being greatest at corresponding positionsadjacent the top edge or the bottom edge and the spacing between theside edges being the smallest at corresponding positions between themidpoint between the top edge and the bottom edge of one side edge andthe midpoint between the top edge and the bottom edge of the other sideedge where a tangent to the curvature of one side edge is parallel tothe tangent to the curvature of the other side edge; and a closurehaving a first part and second part with said first part beingconnectable to said second part, said first part of said closure beingconnected to one of said side edges of said panel and said second partof said closure being connected to the other of said side edges of saidpanel, wherein at times when the first part of said closure is connectedto the second part of said closure the top edge of said panel forms atop opening and the bottom edge of said panel forms a bottom opening. 2.The legwear of claim 1 wherein the first sheet of material and thesecond sheet of material are selected from the group comprising wovennatural threads, woven synthetic threads, natural fibers, syntheticfibers, animal hides.
 3. The legwear of claim 1 wherein said closure islocated at the front of the user's leg at times when the legwear isworn.
 4. The legwear of claim 1 wherein said closure is located at therear of the user's leg at times when the legwear is worn.
 5. The legwearof claim 1 wherein said closure is located at the side of the user's legat times when the legwear is worn.
 6. The legwear of claim 1 wherein thetop edge of said panel is folded in the direction of said bottom edge toprovide a cuff at the top of said legwear.
 7. The legwear of claim 1wherein said closure is selected from the group comprising laces andgrommets, zippers, hook and loop material, buckles, bar slides or rings,buttons and loops, and elastic panels or strips.
 8. Legwear that coversa user's leg below the knee and above the foot, said legwear being madeby the method comprising: a.) making a panel of material according tothe steps of: i.) selecting a first sheet of material having an outerand an inner face; ii.) forming a portion of said first sheet ofmaterial into a shape that is defined between a top edge and a bottomedge and that is also defined between oppositely located side edges thatare between said top edge and said bottom edge, each of said side edgesdefining a concave shape for said material, the spacing between saidside edges being greatest at the position of at least one of said topedge or said bottom edge, and the spacing between said side edges beingthe smallest at a position between the midpoint between said top edgeand said bottom edge on one side edge and the midpoint between said topedge and said bottom edge on the other side edge where a tangent to thecurvature of one side edge is parallel to a tangent to the curvature ofthe other side edge; iii.) selecting a second sheet of material havingan outer and an inner face; iv.) forming a portion of said second sheetof material into a shape that is defined between a top edge and a bottomedge and that is also defined between oppositely located side edges thatare between said top edge and said bottom edge, each of said side edgesdefining a concave shape for said material, the spacing between saidside edges being greatest at the position of at least one of said topedge or said bottom edge, and the spacing between said side edges beingthe smallest at a position between the midpoint between said top edgeand said bottom edge on one side edge and the midpoint between said topedge and said bottom edge on the other side edge where a tangent to thecurvature of one side edge is parallel to a tangent to the curvature ofthe other side edge, said second sheet of material being sized such thatthe edges of the second sheet of material coincide with the respectiveedges of the first sheet of material; v.) arranging the first and secondshapes together with the outer face of the first sheet opposing theouter face of the second sheet; vi.) fastening the two shapes ofmaterial together along each of said side edges and along one of saidtop side or said bottom side; vii.) passing the fastened edge of saidtop side or said bottom side between the unfastened edges of the otherof said top side or said bottom side such that the inner face of thefirst sheet opposes the inner face of said second sheet; and viii.)securing the other of said top side or said bottom side together; andb.) installing a first part of a closure along one of the side edges ofsaid panel and a second part of said closure along the other of the saidedges of said panel such that, at times when the parts of said closureare connected together, the panel defines an opening along the top edgeof said panel and another opening along the bottom edge of said panel.9. A method for making legwear that covers below the knee and above thefoot, said method comprising: a.) making a panel of material accordingto the steps of: i.) selecting a first sheet of material having an outerand an inner face; ii.) forming the first sheet of material into a shapethat is defined between a top edge and a bottom edge and betweenoppositely located side edges that are between said top edge and saidbottom edge, each of said side edges defining a concave shape for saidmaterial, the spacing between said side edges being greatest at theposition of at least one of said top edge or said bottom edge, and thespacing between said side edges being the smallest at a position betweenthe midpoint between said top edge and said bottom edge on one side edgeand the midpoint between said top edge and said bottom edge on the otherside edge, where a tangent to the curvature of the one side edge isparallel to a tangent to the curvature of the opposite side edge; iii.)selecting a second sheet of material having an outer and an inner face;iv.) forming the second sheet of material into a shape that is definedbetween a top edge and a bottom edge and between oppositely located sideedges that are between said top edge and said bottom edge, the spacingbetween said side edges being greatest at the position of at least oneof said top edge or said bottom edge, and the spacing between said sideedges being the smallest at a position between the midpoint between saidtop edge and said bottom edge on one side edge and the midpoint betweensaid top edge and said bottom edge on the other side edge where atangent to the curvature of the one side edge is parallel to a tangentto the curvature of the opposite side edge, said second shape beingsized to be equivalent to said first shape such that the top and bottomedges of said first shape coincide with the top and bottom edges of saidsecond shape and the side edges of said first shape coincide with therespective side edges of said second shape; v.) arranging the first andsecond shapes together with the outer face of the first shape opposingthe outer face of the second shape; vi.) fastening the two shapes ofmaterial together along each of said side edges and along one of saidtop edge or said bottom edge; vii.) passing the fastened edge of saidtop edge or said bottom edge between the unfastened edges of the otherof said top edge or said bottom edge such that the inner face of thefirst sheet opposes the inner face of said second sheet; and viii.)securing the other of said top edges or said bottom edges together; andb.) installing part of a closure along one side edge of said panel andinstalling a second part of said closure along the other side edge ofsaid panel such that, at times when the parts of said closure areconnected together, the panel defines an opening along the top edge ofsaid panel and another opening along the bottom edge of said panel. 10.A set of legwear that is capable of being worn by a user to cover belowthe knee and above the foot, said set of legwear comprising: a firstlegwear having a first sheet material that defines a top edge and abottom edge that is oppositely disposed on said sheet from said topedge, said first sheet of material also defining a first side edge and asecond side edge that is oppositely disposed on said sheet from saidfirst side edge, said first legwear including a first closure memberalong one of said side edges and a second closure member along the otherof said side edges, said second closure member being complementary tosaid first closure member such that, at times when said first legwear isworn as legwear to cover below the knee and above the foot of the user,said first closure member cooperates with said second closure member toconnect said one side of said first legwear to said other side of saidfirst legwear; and a second legwear that has a first sheet material thatdefines a top edge and a bottom edge that is oppositely disposed on saidsheet from said top edge, said second sheet of material also defining afirst side edge and a second side edge that is oppositely disposed onsaid sheet from said first side edge, said second legwear including afirst closure member on one of said side edges and a second closuremember on the other of said side edges, said second closure member beingcomplementary to said first closure member such that, at times when saidsecond legwear is worn as legwear to cover below the knee and above thefoot of the user, said first closure member cooperates with said secondclosure member to connect said one side of said second legwear with saidother side of said second legwear, the second closure member of saidsecond legwear also being complementary to the first closure member ofsaid first legwear such that said second legwear cooperates with saidfirst legwear to selectively form a complex article.
 11. The set oflegwear of claim 10 wherein said complex article is selected from thegroup comprising a seat cushion, a blanket, and a handwarmer.
 12. Theset of legwear of claim 10 wherein the first closure member of saidfirst legwear is complementary to the second closure member of saidsecond legware such that said first closure member of said first legwearengages the second closure member of said second legwear to secure theone edge of said first legwear to the other edge of said second legwear.13. The set of legwear of claim 12 wherein the second closure member ofsaid first legwear is complementary to the first closure member of saidsecond legware such that said second closure member of said firstlegwear engages the first closure member of said second legwear tosecure the other edge of said first legware to the one edge of saidsecond legwear.
 14. The set of legwear of claim 13 wherein said firstlegware and said second legware cooperate to form a seat cushion. 15.The set of legware of claim 10 wherein the side edges of said firstlegwear and said second legware define respective concave shapes betweensaid top edge and said bottom edge, the curvature of said concave shapesbeing gauged according to the elasticity of the sheet material so thatat times when the one side of the second legwear is connected to theother side of the first legware, the one and other sides are incompression at locations adjacent the top and bottom edges and intension at the midpoint of the concave shape.
 16. The set of legware ofclaim 15 wherein the other side edge of said first legwear and the oneside edge of said second legware are substantially straight.
 17. The setof legware of claim 10 wherein each of said first and second legwearfurther include a respective loop that is secured to one of the top edgeor the bottom edge of said first and second legwear, said set of legwearfurther comprising a belt with a fastener that is connected to one endof said belt and that receives and secures the opposite end of saidbelt.
 18. The set of legwear of claim 17 wherein said belt can besecured around one of said first or second legwear at times when saidlegwear is worn below the knee and above the ankle of the user tosupport said legware on the user.
 19. The set of legwear of claim 18wherein said loop receives said belt at times when the opposite end ofsaid belt is apart from said fastener so that said opposite end of saidbelt can be threaded through said loop.
 20. The set of legwear of claim19 wherein said opposite end of said belt is secured in said fastener sothat the belt forms a carrying strap that passes through said loop.